Lee Turret Press

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Jimfern

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I have been reloading for over a decade now and just happened across a Lee Turret Press in buying out a fellow reloader. My original plans were to keep the components and sell the press, but after cleaning it and tinkering with it, I believe it is a true gem.

The auto-indexing works well and it's a very simple and effective press. I have not yet measured the powder output from the auto-disk system, but I am impressed with this system overall.
 
If it is Pro Auto Disk, it will drop powder charges within .1 gr charge-to-charge with most small ball/flake powders (Bullseye/WST/Titegroup/W231/HP-38/Universal/WSF/AutoComp etc.) and with medium flake powders like Green Dot, within .2 gr. It will throw .2-.4 gr variations with larger flake powders like Unique/Red Dot/Promo, but that's typical and the loads are usually accurate enough even with the variations.

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On the standard Auto Disk, changing the disks to get the charge right wears out the screw holes. Not a problem on the Pro Auto Disk, but it's still a hassle. I prefer the adjustable charge bar.
 
You don't need to unscrew the hopper to replace the disks on Pro Auto Disk.

1. Turn the hopper to "OFF" position and throw 3-4 charges until no powder is dispensed (I dump the powder in case back in the hopper).
2. When the hopper is in the up position, lift the base of Pro Auto Disk a little more until the disk is almost free from the pull back lever and pull the disk out towards you (slide point of pull back lever will move forward to released the disk).
3. While maintaining the base in the up position, select the disk/hole you want to use and slide the disk back into the base, ensuring the slide point of pull back lever is in the proper slot under the disk.
4. Turn the hopper to "ON" and throw 2-3 charges or until powder charge weights are consistent when weighed on the scale.

Tada!
 
I prefer the adjustable charge bar
Click to expand...

I agree totally,

I use 1 pro auto disk and just got extra adjustable charge bars. 1 for each caliber and just switch them out for each caliber. i like to be able to dial in exact charge i want.
 
If I were running Lee....well first off I'd be a pretty lucky SOB - LOL.... and then I'd discontinue the Deluxe turret, the base model auto-disk powder dispenser and the finicky 1000 progressive. A five hole turret to go along with their 5-hole Loadmaster might be an idea to explore.

Oh, I'd probably add an inexpensive digital scale as an option to my beam scale too.
 
If I was running Lee, I'd take the Lee Classic Cast press, and use it to make a manual index progressive press like the Dillon RL300 or 550. I'd also have them make a four die set of 410 shotgun dies, and a "shotmaker" using the Lee Production pot as the basis. I'd introduce a whole line of "Classic Cast" products based on the plastic accessories, only made of metal. Sorry, I was starting to dream big. Well, how about a Classic JR series. They could be small like the regular turret press and the Challenger, only they would have steel frames.
 
bds said:
You don't need to unscrew the hopper to replace the disks on Pro Auto Disk.

1. Turn the hopper to "OFF" position and throw 3-4 charges until no powder is dispensed (I dump the powder in case back in the hopper).
2. When the hopper is in the up position, lift the base of Pro Auto Disk a little more until the disk is almost free from the pull back lever and pull the disk out towards you (slide point of pull back lever will move forward to released the disk).
3. While maintaining the base in the up position, select the disk/hole you want to use and slide the disk back into the base, ensuring the slide point of pull back lever is in the proper slot under the disk.
4. Turn the hopper to "ON" and throw 2-3 charges or until powder charge weights are consistent when weighed on the scale.

Tada!
Click to expand...

You can do the same thing on the standard Auto Disk if you remove the big spring. If you carefully insert another disk behind the one you are removing, you won't even have to remove or empty the hopper. I made me a little hook to grab that spring and unhook it. It's a hassle, but at least you don't wear out the screw holes.
 
So is the OP talking about a Deluxe press or the Classic Turret. If he is impressed with the Deluxe he will stain his pants over the Classic.
 
RandyP said:
If I were running Lee....well first off I'd be a pretty lucky SOB - LOL.... and then I'd discontinue the Deluxe turret, the base model auto-disk powder dispenser and the finicky 1000 progressive. A five hole turret to go along with their 5-hole Loadmaster might be an idea to explore.

Oh, I'd probably add an inexpensive digital scale as an option to my beam scale too.
Click to expand...
That tactic has made millions for LEE. Package up a bunch of cheap components to get the sale. Then offer upgrade packs to replace the junk parts.
Why would they want to change a winner?
 
That tactic has made millions for LEE. Package up a bunch of cheap components to get the sale. Then offer upgrade packs to replace the junk parts.
Why would they want to change a winner?
Click to expand...

Well now! That right there is quite an opinion.

So once again a thread that mentions Lee turns into a Lee bashing thread.

Unbelievable!
 
Curious:

Why does Lee make so many similar presses? You've got the turret, classic cast turret, anniversary turret, single stage, classic cast single stage, single stage anniversary casted classic... etc. It seems culling the line to about half might make their whole catalog a bit easier for newbies to sort through.

Also curious: why is LEE so often typed in all CAPS? ;)

thorn
 
Also curious: why is LEE so often typed in all CAPS?
Click to expand...

Good question.

Probably because of the way Lee prints his product lables and boxes, ect., ect.

Regarding the presses, some of them are cast aluminum alloy others are cast steel. Both are good and if used as they should be will hold up very well.

For those who look down their noses at cast alu. alloy check under your vehicles hood and check the suspension components for all the cast alu. alloy. And you're putting you and youre families life on the line with them.

Of course if you abuse it, then all bets are off.

This hold true all the way down to the Lee Loaders which use a mallet, NOT A steel hammer, but if wish to ruin the die, have at it.
 
Well I dont know if I actually meant that as a bash or not. Maybe subconsciously.
It worked great for me I could not afford to buy the best and the kit gave me a way to start.
As a example: The auto disk powder measure that comes in the deluxe Turret kit. ( why do they use the term deluxe?)
Is in my opinion only a facsimile of what you would expect from the auto disk powder measure.
Does it work? yea kinda, once you get past all the leaking powder and the stripped threads on the plastic container, Having to disassemble it to change the disks( thats what the instructions say)

Eventually you find this.
http://www.titanreloading.com/powder-handling-equipment/pro-auto-disk-update-kit

After that you have one nice trouble free powder system.

I dont blame them for not throwing a auto disk pro in the $99 kit. If they put the good stuff in, it would be a $200 kit.
Like the Classic cast turret kit that does have all the good stuff.

Not saying just saying. It is what it is.
The $99 price got me into a turret instead of a single stage Something else. Plus I have upgraded allot. I suspect I am not alone. Hence that's a good marketing ploy by LEE. They made over the $200 they would have gotten out of me for the Cast turret kit alone.
 
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With the right powders...the Auto Disk works great!

The right powders being "small grained"...I use a lot of Power Pistol and it meters great.

I like the 4 Hole Turret just like it is...affordable and it works great....and thats coming from somebody who doesn't really like most of Lee's junk, the Classic Turret is a winner.
 
If I was running Lee, I'd take the Lee Classic Cast press, and use it to make a manual index progressive press like the Dillon RL300 or 550.
Click to expand...

Now there is an idea! they did make an auto index progressive prototype using the classic turret, but it just didn't work so they dropped the idea.
 
I've seen a lot of steel vs iron vs aluminum in press debates... but honestly, I think all 3 are perfectly acceptable materials. If aluminum is good enough for an Indy car engine block, I think it's probably good for my press.

thorn
 
Aluminum is good enough for Sig's classic pistol frames. I prefer cast iron for a press, but get over it. My spare Lyman turret press is cast aluminum too. They work. They last. They produce high quality ammunition.

re Lee switching to a cheap digital instead of the awkward Lee beam scale.
Better keep that cheap PITA beam scale, cuz unless you spend some big bucks, that cheap digital is waaay more likely to have large variations/problems.

JMO, but Lee's least reliable option is the adjustable charge bar. Yes I know , with the right powder, with the right load etc etc. With the right powders, it still throws less reliable/more inconsistant charges than the disc does. I'll swap you one even for an unused disc with #46 on it. PM me.
If it is Pro Auto Disk, it will drop powder charges within .1 gr charge-to-charge with most small ball/flake powders (Bullseye/WST/Titegroup/W231/HP-38/Universal/WSF/AutoComp etc.)
Click to expand...
Add small rod-shaped powders like Vihtavuori to that. =/< than .1 gr variations.
 
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On many of LEE's products you get MORE than what you pay for. MUCH MORE!

Dies
Perfect Powder Measure
Pro Auto Disk (with double disk and or micro disk kits)
Single Stage Presses
Classic Cast Turret
Lee Auto Prime

On some products you get what you pay for and IMO LESS than what you pay for. Some products should have not been released and others recalled and fixed.

Not bashing LEE, just telling it like it is.
 
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If it were not for Lee there would be FAR few reloaders in this country and thus a much smaller secondary market, with fewer higher end competitors and component sources. There is little need to sell 'upgraded' products when there are only a few owners of the base items.

Many reloading discussions seem to devolve into brand comparisons and Lee fans and haters. It need not be that way. I drive my 10 year old Dodge minivan not out of 'nostalgia' but because of MY financial situation. I reload on Lee gear because it fits my needs perfectly at a price point that I can afford.

In a perfect world where we all won the lottery? We'd all be reloading on a Camdex.
 
I would also say on some you pay more but don't get any added value...sometimes you just pay for the name.
 
I got into reloading due to Lee products. I like them very much. I use thier dies exclusively. That being said, when I started shooting more, and needing more reloading speed, I upgraded to the "Big Red" stuff. But I still have my Lee DELUXE(!) turret, and I will never get rid of it. Unless someone wants to trade me out for a LCT, hehe. I have taught a few new loaders on my LDT, and they have gone on to purchase Lee product of their own. I believe they make very good products. Are the the bee all/end all of affordable reloading equipment? Maybe, maybe not. But they will always have first chancebefore for my business
 
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